Coca-Cola disclosed data on its website on Friday morning showing that eight scientists who advise the government on healthy eating also received fees or travel expenses from the company. Not all of the researchers denied sugary drinks are linked to obesity.

The soft drinks giant paid £8.9 million to organizations carrying out studies on obesity and promoting scientific research, including the British Nutrition Foundation (£224,769), the National Obesity Forum (£67,300) and the Science Media Centre (£30,000), which promotes the “voices and views of the UK scientific community to the news media.”

Top scientists also received cash from Coca-Cola, some of whom advise government bodies.

Loughborough University professor Stuart Biddle was chairman of a Health Department group on obesity in 2010, and Bristol University professor Ken Fox advised the government on obesity in 2009.